Rotary connecter switch



oct. 19 192e.

wicks ROTRY CONNECTER SWITQH f Original'FilBd JuneNO, 1922 Agb 1 fzyw f Jahn Maks Patented Oct. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

JOHNV WICKS, OIF-CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ATO- i .MATIC ELECTRIC INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE..

ROTARY CONNECTER SWITCH.

Application led Jun-e 80, 1922, Serial No. 571,947. Renewed AApril 22, 1925.

This invention relates in general to automatic switches for tele hone systems, and the object of the inventionis the provision of a new and improved rotary connecter switch. 4 f.

More specically, the object of the invention is to provide a rotary connecter switch having both directive and automatic pri mary or vertical movements, and having both directive and automatic secondary or rotary movements. The provision of a connecter having the foregoing characteristics, makes it possible to combine two or more levels into one large group, while at the same time another level may be divided into several small groups.

The means by which the foregoing objects are accomplished will be fully set forth hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a circuit. diagram of the improved connecter, while Fig. 2 shows the wiring of the test contacts 1n certain levels of the connecter bank.

Referring to Fig. l, the rotary connecter is indicated by the reference character H` and is of the well-known Strowger vertical and rotary type, having circuits such that it is controlled over the two sides of the incoming trunk in series. To the right of the connecter H are shown the bank terminals of a trunk line, which may extend to a private branch exchange and terminate in the jack J. It is to be understood that the trunk line shown is one of the group of similar trunk lines all extending to the samev point.

In Fig. 2, the test .contacts in lthe first four levels of the connecter have been shown. The test terminals are so connect-ed that the four levels comprise one large group, three small groups and three individual lines.

The large group consists of three sub-groups,

the first sub-group consisting of the trunk terminals in the first level, the second subgroup consisting of the trunk terminals in the second level, and the third sub-group consisting of the first five trunk terminals in the third level. The first and second subgroups as shown are equipped with chain re lays, which as shown are connected to the bottom test terminals of their respective vtrunk lines. To the right of the bank terminals are shown the vertical testv terminals, one for each level. When a trunk'line is seized the chain relay Aassociated therewith energizes and completes at its working contact a portion of a circuit for placing a` be energized, and circuits will be completed through the working contacts of the chain relays for placing guarding potentials on the vertical test terminals opposite such subgroups. It will be noted that the last subgroup in the large group and the smaller groups have 11o-means for placing a guarding potential 0n their respective vertical test terminals, as none is needed. The vertical test wiper is arranged to wipe over the'vertical test terminals in its vertical movement, and to disengage therefrom on its rotary movement.

The apparatus, having been described more or less in general, will n ow be de-- scribed in connection with the detailed description of its operation. For this purpose, it will be assumed that an automatic subscriber desires to obtain connection with a subscriber in the private branch exchange served by the large group of trunk lines. The customary subscribers substation, in-

dividual line switch, and selector switches L used by an automatic subscriber in completing a connection. being well understood by those skilled in the art and forming no part of the present invention, it is, therefore, believed that it will suffice to say 4that in response to the removal of the receiver by the calling subscriber, his individual line switch seizes an idle trunk line'leading to an idle selector switch; and in response to the operation of the subscribers calling device, the selector switch is operated to select an idle trunk line'leading to another idle selector switch, or to select an idle trunk line leading to a connecter switch, such as indicated by the reference character H. Let us assume that the calling subscriber has es? tablished his connection up as far'as the last selector, and that the selector has-come to rest on its bank contacts, which are connected to the conductors 20, 21, and 22 of the connecter switch H, the connecter Switch H being the first idle connecter accessible to said selector. When the selector switch comes to rest upon the contacts associated with conductors 20, 21, and 22, the switchi controlled by the armature 30, and through the upper winding of line relay 4 to battery. Relay 4, at armature 33 and its worklng con tact, completes an energizing circuit for slow to release relay 5. Relay 5, upon energizing over the above traced circuit, connects ground to the release conductor 22 at arma ture 34 and its working contact, said ground completing a holding circuitfor the switches back of the connector switch for .maintaining said switches in an operated position, and, in addition, making the trunk line leading to connection H busy to all other selectors having access thereto; at armature 35 and its working contact prepares the circuit for the vert-ical magnet 15 and at its resting contact opens a. point in the release circuit; and at armature 36 and its working Contact prepares a locking circuit for relays 9 and 13.

The calling subscriber may now manipulate his calling device in accordance with the remaining digits in the numberof the private branch exchange, which in this case are 1 and 1. Due to the operation of the calling device by the calling subscriber, the circuit of the line relay 4 is interrupted in a wellknown manner and the line relay in response to this circuit interruption, deenergizes for a short interval and at this time a circuit may be traced for the vertical magnet 15 as follows: from ground by way of armature 33 and its-resting contact, armature 35 and its working contact, normally closed 0H nonrmal spring controlled by spring 68 and s aid spring, slow-acting relay 7, and vertical magnet 15 to battery. The vertical magnet 15 and relay 7 energizes in series, and by the operation of the vertical magnet 15. the switch shaft and wipers are raised until the wipers 7() to 73, inclusive, are opposite the first level and the vertical test wiper 95 in engagement with vertical test contact 78, which is opposite the first level. Relay 7, energizes and maintains its own circuit and that of the vertical magnet intact after the off normal springs have shifted, which they do on the first vertical step.

After the first impulse, the line relay 4 energizes and opens the circuit for relay 7 and vertical magnet 15 at armature Relay 7, upon deenergizing, which it does after a short interval, switches the impulsing circuit from the vertical magnet to the rotary magnet at armature 40, and at armature 39 completes a testing circuit for vertical wiper relay 8.

If all the trunk lines in the first level are busy, there will be a ground potential on the vertical test contact 78 caused by the energization of the chain relays shown just below the lirst level (Fig. 2). Each chain relay, upon energizing, when its associated trunk line is seized, completes its portion of al chain of contacts by means of which ground is connected to the vertical test contact. Assuming that all the trunk lines in the first level are busy, the relay 7, upon delenergizing, completes an energizing circuit for the vertical wiper relayv 8 as follows:

`from ground by the way of'chain relay conspring 65 and itsvresting contact, working contact of armature41 and said armature,

. and winding of stepping relay 6 to battery.

Stepping relay 6 energizes and completes a locking circuit for itself as follows: from ground by way of working contact of armature 34 and said armature, working contact.

of armature 37 and said armature', armature 66 and its resting contact, working contact of armature 42 and said armature, resting contact of armature 39 and said armature, interrupter spring 65 and its resting contact of the vertical magnet, working contact of armature 41 and said armature, and winding of stepping relay 6 to battery. Relay 6 also completes a locking circuit for relay 8 from ground overa portion of the above traced circuit to armature 39 and thence through the'winding of relay 8 to battery. Relay 6, in addition to completing a locking circuit for itself andv relay 8, completes an'energizing circuit for the vertical magnet 15 at armature 38 as follows: from ground by the way of working cont-act of armature 36 and said armature, armature 38 and its working contact,- armature 43 and its working contact, and winding of vertical magnet 15 to battery. By the operation of the vertical magnet, the switch shaft and wipers are raised opposite the next or second level and the vertical test wiper comes into engagement with the vertical test contact 94 opposite the second level. The vertical magnet 15, at its interrupter spring '65, opens the locking circuitfor relay 6, whereupon said relay deenergizes. Relay 6, upon de energizing, opens the circuit for the vertical magnet at armature 38, and at armature 37 lopens the locking circuit of the vertical wiper relay 8. The vertical magnet lll() deenergizes and closes its interrupter springs 65. The vertical Wiper relay 8 deenergizes provided there is no ground potential on vertical test contact 94. If, however, all the trunk lines in thesecond level are busy, there will be a ground potential on vertical test contact 94 and relay 8 will be maintained energized. The vertical magnet by closing its interrupter springs 65 then com: pletes an energizing circuit for stepping relay 6. The stepping relay completes a locking circuit for itself and relay 8 and operates the vertical magnet. The vertical magnet again opens the circuit of the stepping relay and this sequence of operationscontinues until the vertical test wiper no longer finds a ground potential or until it comes into engagement with a dead contact, whereupon the relays 6 and 8 and the vertical magnet '15 are returned to their normal positions.

Returning now to just after the first automatic vertical step, and assuming that only the first three trunks in the second level are busy, the vertical wiper relay 8 will deenergize due to there being no ground potential on the vertical contact 94 and the automatic vertical trunk hunting will stop. Relay 8, upon deenergizing, prepares the circuits for the automatic rotary trunk hunting at armatures 41 and 43.

The subscriber may now dial the remaining or last digit of the called number or the digit 1. In response to the operation of the calling device by the calling subscriber, the circuit of the line relay 4 is again interrupted. The line relay 4, upon deenergizing, completes a circuit for the rotary magnet 16 in series with relay 11 as follows: from ground by the way of armature 33 and its resting Contact, armature 35 and its working contact, normally open olf-normal springs controlledby spring 68, armature 40 and its resting contact, resting contact of armature 49 and said armature, winding of relay 11, armature 59 and its resting contact, and Winding of rotary magnet 16 to battery. The rotary magnet 16 and relay 11 energize in series. The rotary magnet 16 steps the wipers 7 0 to 73, inclusive, into engagement with the bank terminals of the first trunk in the second level, and moves the vertical test wiper 95 out of engagement with vertical test contact 94. Relay 11, upon energizing, at armature 53, and its working Contact maintains the impulsing circuit for the rotary magnet closed, so that said impulsing circuit will not be opened at armature 49 when the wipers are passing over busy trunks, at armature 51 and its resting contact opens the circuit to relay 6, so that said relay will not energize when wiper 71 is passing over busy trunks, and at armature 52 and its working contact, completes an energizing circuit for relay 12. Relay 12, upon energizing, at armature 54 and its working contact prepares a circuit for relay 6, at armature 56 disconnects the busy machine, at armature 55 and its restingl contact `opens the circuit of the switching relay 13, and'at its working contact prepares the testing circuit for relay 10. As before stated, assuming the first three trunks in the second level to be busy, there will be a ground potential on the test terminals which wiper 72 comes into engagement with or terminals 86, 87, 88, respectively; said ground extending from the connecter switch occupying a multiple of that particular trunk line from a ground and armature similar to ground and armature 60 of the connecter switch H. If the first trunk line in vthe second level is busy, ground from the A the circuit 'for the slow-acting relay 12. Re-

lay 12, however, does not immediately deenergize and since the first trunk line in the second level is busy, a circuit for relay 6 may be traced as follows: from ground potential on test terminal 86, over the conductor 90 connecting the bottom test terminal 86 with the top test terminal and from thence by way of test wiper 71, armature 54 and its working contact, armature 51 and its resting contact, armature 47 and its working contact, interrupter springs 66 of the rotary magnet, resting contact of armature 41 and said armature, and winding of relay 6 to battery. Relay 6, upon energizing, completes a locking circuit for itself a's follows: from ground on release conductor 22 by the way of working contact of armature 37 and said armature, interrupter springs 66 of the rotary magnet, resting contact of armature 41 and said armature,

and Winding of relay 6 to battery. Relay 6, in addition to completing a looking circuit for itself, closes a circuit for energizing the rotary magnet 16 and slow to release relay 12 in multiple as follows: from ground by the wayvof working contact of armature 36 and said armature, armature 38 and its working contact, armature 43 and its resting contact, to junction point 96 where the circuit divides one branch going over the resting contact of armature 52 and said armature to relay 12, and the other branch extending from junction point 96 by way of armature 59 and its resting contact, and

cuit for the stepping relay 6,- whereupon said relay deenergizes. Relay 6, upon deenergizing, at armature 37 opens its own locking circuit and at armature 38 opens the circuit of the rotary magnet 16 and the slow to release relay 12. Before relay 12 has had time to deenergize, the testing circuit lfor relay 10`is again completed and if the trunk line is busy, relay 10 will be maintained energized from ground on test terminal 87 over a previously traced circuit, and a circuit may also be traced from ground at test terminal 87 for again energizing the stepping rela'T 6. Relay 6 again energizes and completes a locking circuit for itself as well as again completing the circuit for the rotary magnet and maintaining relay 12 in an operated position. The rotary magnet operates and steps the shaft wipers into engagement with the next set o bank contacts and 'in addition, i

opens the loc ing circuit of relay 6 at its interrupter springs 66. The relay 6, upon deenergizing, again opens the circuits for the rotary magnet 16 and the relay 12. Relay 10 again tests for a busy ground potential, and if the next trunk line is busy, the sequence of operations just explained continues until the wipers are rotated into engagement with an idle trunk line or the last trunk line in the level.

Assuming the fourth trunk line in the second level to be the first idle trunk line, the private wipers 71 and 72 will c ome to rest in engagement with the test terminals 75 and- 76, respectively. As the test relay 10 no longer finds a ground potential on the test terminal 76 with which it is now in engagement, said relay deenergizes and prepares a circuit for the switching relay 13 at armature 48, and at'armature 47 opens the circuit for the steppingrelay 6 so said relay will not energize and operate the rotary magnet when this trunk line is made busy to other connecter switches having access thereto, and at armature 50 opens a portion of the busy circuit. A short interval after relay 6 deenergizes, the slow-acting relay 12 deenergizes and completes a circuit for the switching relay 13 as follows: from grounded release conductor 22 by the way of armature 48 and its resting contact, upper winding of switching relay 13, resting contact of armature 55 and said armature, wiper 72,

test terminal 76and winding of chain relay to battery. The switching relay 13 and the chain relay 8O energize in series. The chain relay 80, upon energizing, closes its contacts 84 and 85, thereby completin its portion of'a chain of contacts for groun ing the vertical test contact 94. The switchlng relay 13, upon energizing, closes at armature 58 a circuit through t-he low capacity .condenser 97, whereby the calling subscriber 1s given the well-known ring-back tone when ringing current is applied t0 the called line, at armature 59 permanently opens the circuit for the' rotary magnet, at armature 60 short circuits its upper winding, completes a holding circuit for chain relay 80, -and places a ground potential on test terminal 76, thereby making the trunk line busy to other switches having access thereto; at armature 61 opens the circuit for the testing relay 10 so said relay cannot again energize, at armature 62 completes a locking circuit for itself from ground at armature 36, at armature 63 opens a point in the release circuit so as to prevent a premature release of the switch, and at armatures 57 and 64 connects ringing current tov the y trunk line, which current operates a visual signal at the operators position in the private branch exchange. The circuit for ringing the visual signal or drop 81 at the private branch exchange may be traced as follows: By the operation of the interrupter relay 93 grounded generator and booster battery is intermittently placed on armature 69, and from thence the circuit may be traced through the upper winding of the ring-cut-off relay 9, resting contact of armature 44, and said armature, armature 57 and itsworking contact, wiper 70, line bank terminal 74, tip spring 82 of the jack J and its resting contact, condenser C, winding of drop 81, line bank terminal 77, wiper 73, working contact of armature 64 and said armature,-and armature 46 and its resting contact to ground. The ring-cut-oif relay 9 due to its construction, condenser C, and the high resistance of drop 81, will not energize over the above traced circuit, the drop 81, however, is operated over the above traced circuit to display to the operator at the private branch exchange a visual signal by means of which the operator is informed that a connection is desired. The operator, in response to the operation ofthe visual signal, inserts an answering plug of her cord 'circuit (not shown) into jack J, thereby disconnecting the dro 81 at spring 82 and its resting contact, ang completing a circuit for the ring-cut-oif relayy as follows: from grounded generator or booster battery at armature 69, over the circuit previously traced to spring 82 and from thence through the operatcrs cord circuit back to spring 83 and ground at armature 46. Ring-cut-ofi' relay 9, upon energizing,

completes a locking circuit forq itself at armature 45 from ground at armature 36; and at armatures 44 and 46 disconnects rinving current from the called line and completes the talking circuit between the calling subscriber and the operator, and in addition, completes a circuit for the back bridge relay 3 as follows: from ground upper winding of said relay by Way of working contact of armature 44 and said armature, throu h the operators cord circuit and back to t e lower winding of said relay to battery. The back bridge relay, upon energizing, reverses the flow of current to the calling subscriber at armatures 30 and 31, and at armature 32 connects ground to conductor 98 so that the switch cannot release until the called subscriber hangs up. The operator, upon ascertaining the wants of the calling subscriber, completes the desired connection and conversation is carried on in the usual manner.

After conversation, the called party hangs up and relay 3 is deenergized, but the connection is held up by the calling subscriber. After a shortinterval, the calling subscriber hangs up and opens the circuit to the line relay 4, whereupon said relay deenergizes and opens the circuit to relay 5. After a short interval relay 5 deenergizes and re moves ground from the release conductor 22, thereby allowing all the switches back of it to release and restore to normal; at armature 36, rela 5 opens the holding circuit for relaysA 9 an 13, allowing said relays to release, and at armature 35 completes a circuit for the release magnet 14 to allow the switch to return to normal. The release magnet 14 is energized over the following path: from ground at armature 33 and its resting contact, armature 35 and its resting contact, armature 63 and its resting contact, oil' normal spring 67 and its working contact, and release magnet 14 to battery. The release magnet is maintained energized over the above traced circuit until the shaft and wipers are returned to their normal position, whereupon the circuit of the release magnet is opened when the oil normal springs are operated, which they do when the switch reaches its normal position.

l Should, however, the calling subscriber be the first to hang up after conversation, the following operation takes place. Relay -4 deenergizes and in turn opens the circuit for relay 5. Relay 5, however, being slowacting, retains its armature attracted for a short interval atwhich time a circuit may be ytraced for relay 12 as follows: from ground by the way of armature and its resting contact, armature 35 and its working contact, normally open. olii' normal springs controlled by the spring 69, armature 40 and its resting contact, resting contact of armature 49 and said armature, winding of relay 11, resting contact of armature 52 and said armature, and winding of relay l12 to'battery. Relay 11 does not energize 1n series with rela 12, the latter relay, however, energizes an removes ground at armature 60 byway of upper winding of relay 13 and armature 55 from the release con-f ductor 22, so that when relay 5 is fully deenergized the switches back of the connecter switch H will release. After an interval, relay 12 falls back and a ain grounds the releaseconductor by way o; armature 55 through the upper winding of relay 13, thereby making the switch busy until the called subscriber hangs up. When the called subscriber hangs up, relay 3 releases and opens the locking circuit for the relays 9 and 13 and said relays release and return the switch to normal in the usual manner.

Having described the operation of the switch in connection with establishing a connection with the private branch exchange, a

brief description will now be given how the calling subscriber receives the busy signal when all the trunks to the private branch exchange are busy.

The subscriber dials the first digit or digit 1 of the called number, and the vertical magnet is operated to step the shaft and wipers u p to the first level. With all the trunk lines busy, there will be a ground potential on the vertical test contacts 78 and 94 and the vertical magnetwill automatically operate as previously explained, to step the shaft and wipers up to the third level. In response to the second digit of the call number, the rotary movement of the switch is started. The first five trunk lines in` the third level being busy, the wipers are automatically rotated into engagement with the fifth set of contacts in the third level. As will be noted in Fig. 2, the two test terminals 91 and 92 are not strapped together and said switch will stop with its wipers 71 and 72 in engagement with said test terminals, as a circuit is no longer completed' for the stepping relay 6. Ground, however, on test terminal 92 maintains the testing relay 10 energized and said relay is locked up from the grounded release conductor 22 when relay 12 deener izes. When relay 12 is fully deenergized t e busy tone is transmitted to the calling subscriber through armatures 56 and 50 in the well-known manner, whereupon the calling subscriber hangs up and releases the switch as previously described.

It will also be noted that the last test terminals in the vrst and second levels are not strapped. The reason for this is that, should there be but one idle trunk in one of the levels, say the second level, and two connecter switches such as H should start rotating nearly simultaneously to seize said idle trunk line, one of the connecter switches would reach the `idle trunk line before `the other and make it busy to said other conthe group shown in Fig. 2, comprising thef last five trunk terminals in the third level.

The digits necessary to call thls group are the digits 3 and 6, and in response to the subscriber dialling the irst digit or digit 3,.

the switch raises its shaft and wipers opposite the third level. In response to the dialling of the last digit or digit 6, the switch rotates its wipers into engagement w1th the sixth set of contacts in the third level. If this trunk line is busy, the wipers are automatically rotated to find an idle trunk line in the same manner as previously descr1bed. It will be noted that in the selection of small groups of trunk lines, the vertical test wiper has no function, as the vertical test contacts associated with such groups are left dead.

The connecter switch is also capable of completing connections with a private or individual line, the test terminals of three of such individual lines being shown as the last three sets in the fourth level in Fig. 2. Connections to these lines, however, are directively controlled by they calling subscriber. The desired line is not tested until the wipers have been rotated into engagement with the bank terminals of the desired line, whereupon the desired connection is completed if the line is idle, or if the line is busy, the busy tone isl given the calling subscriber-in the well-known manner.

Having fully described and ascertained the features of my invention, what is considered to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent, will be pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim 1'. In a telephone system, a two wire side switchless connecter, lines divided into groups and sub-groups accessible to said connecter, means for directively controlling the operation of Asaid connecter in a primary movement to select a group, means for continuing the primary movement to automatically select a sub-group in the selected group, directively controlled means for operating said connecter in a seconda-ry movement, and means for automatically continuing the secondary movement to select an idle line in the selected sub-group.

2. In a telephone system, a two wire side switchless connecter, lines divided into groups and sub-groups accessible to said connecter, a primary motor magnet for operating said connecter in a primary movement to select a group in accordance with a digit of the called number, means for conaccessible to said connecter, means for dil rectively controlling the operation of said connecter in a primary movement to select a group, a stepping relay for continuing the primary movement to automatically select a sub-group in the selected group, directively controlled means for operatlng said connecter in a secondary movement, and circuit connections for operating said ste ping relay to automatically continue t e secondary movement to select an idle line in the selected sub-group.

4. In a telephone system, a connecter, lines divided into groups and sub-groups accessible to said connecter, a primary motor magnet for operating said connecter in a primary movement to select a group in accordance with a digit vof the called number, a stepping relay for controlling further operation of said primary motor ma net to cause said magnet to automatica y continue the primary movement to select a sub-group in the selected group, a secondary motor magnet for operating said connecter in a secondary movement in accordance with another digit of the called number, and circuit connections for operating said stepping relay to control the operation of said secondary motor magnet to automatically continue the secondary movement to select an idle line in the selected subgl'OuP- 5. In a telephone system, a connecter, lines divided into groups and sub-groups accessible to said connecter, means including a magnet for directively operating said connecter in a primary movement to selectv a group, a stepping relay having a circuit including contacts operated by said magnet, means including said magnet and relay forautomatically causingthe connecter to select another group in case the group first selected is busy, means for then directively operating said connecter in a Secondary movement to' select a line in the selected group, -and means for causing the connecter to automatically select another line in case the line first selected is busy.

6. In a telephone system, a vertical and rotary connecter, lines divided into groups and sub-groups accessible to `said connecter, means for directively operating said connecter in a vertical movement to select a group, means for continuing the vertical movement to automaticaly select a subgroup in the. selected group, directively controlled means for operating said connecter in a rotary movement to select a line in the selected sub-group, means for automaticale ly continuing the rotary movement in case the selected line is busy, a stepping relay included in the means for continuing the vertical movement, and another relay for switching the said stepping relay into association with the rotary operating mechanism when the vertical movement is completed.

7. The combination, with an automatic switch having two successive directive movements and two hunting movements, of groups of trunk terminals any one of which groups may be selected on the rst directive movement, the second vdirective movement being effective to select a particular terminal in any selected group, means dependent on the idle condition of the selected group and terminal for cancelling either or both hunting movements, and groups of chain relays for indicating the conditions of said groups to said switch.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of June, A. D., 1922.

JOHN WICKS. 

